Dispensing and tracking system

ABSTRACT

A dispensing system including a sensor configured to identify a position of an item on a surface of a component, a controller operatively coupled to the sensor, and a display device operatively coupled to the controller. The display device is configured to dynamically display information relating to the item. The display device is configured to display the information at a location physically associated with the item.

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 62/791,250, filed on Jan. 11, 2019, and entitled Dispensing AndTracking System, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated byreference.

This application is directed to a system for dispensing and tracking ofvarious items.

BACKGROUND

Companies and other entities often have a need to dispense and trackitems in a variety of settings. Such dispensing companies and entitiescan include, for example, retail operations, grocery stores,restaurant/food service companies and other companies with sales and/ordelivery operations, along with inventory and asset management companiessuch as warehouse operators, factory floor operators, medicalfacilities, IT facilities, or others businesses which track physicalassets. Such dispensing entities may receive requests or orders foritems from customers or recipients. Such orders or requests can beplaced remotely by any of a variety of methods, such as call-ahead,internet/website ordering, mobile device ordering through interactingwith apps, etc. After receiving and processing such requests, dispensingentities may offer self-service, pick-up options for the transfer ofpossession of items to the customer. If payment is required, thedispensing entity can accommodate pre-payment such that the recipientcan provide proof-of-purchase at the pickup location and then bepresented with, and take possession of, the purchased/transferreditem(s). Pre-payment enables the recipient to avoid interacting withstore personnel, and reduces friction points that can slow thedispensing process.

However, efficiently fulfilling remotely-initiated orders for pickup bythe recipient can create logistical challenges. In some settings, uponarrival at the pickup location, a remote-order recipient must wait inthe same line with other customers, despite the fact that his/her orderis already paid for and/or prepared and ready for pick-up. In addition,when a remote-order recipient reaches the point-of-sale or dispensinglocation, the cashier/operator of the dispensing entity may be requiredto confirm payment and/or the identity of the recipient, and then stepaway from their workstation to retrieve the order and deliver it to therecipient. These challenges can increase the wait time for othercustomers or recipients. In some cases dispensing entities may increasestaffing to provide dedicated personnel to speed the fulfillment of suchorders, but such dedicated personnel can impose an additional burden onresources of the dispensing entity.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, the invention is a dispensing system including asensor configured to identify a position of an item on a surface of acomponent, a controller operatively coupled to the sensor, and a displaydevice operatively coupled to the controller. The display device isconfigured to dynamically display information relating to the item. Thedisplay device is configured to display the information at a locationphysically associated with the item.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front perspective view of one embodiment of a dispensingcomponent that may comprise or be used as part of the dispensing systemas disclosed herein, shown in conjunction with a user and a mobiledevice;

FIG. 1B is a front view of the dispensing component of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a back view of the dispensing component of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a front perspective view of the system of FIG. 1A, with anitem removed therefrom by the user;

FIG. 1E is a front perspective view of the system of FIG. 1A, with adifferent configuration of items, and with an additional display;

FIG. 1F is a front perspective view of the system of FIG. 1E, with theitems rearranged;

FIG. 2A is a schematic representation of the dispensing component ofFIGS. 1A-1E;

FIG. 2B is a schematic representation of an exemplary heating andcooling system for the dispensing component of FIGS. 1A-1E;

FIG. 3 is a further schematic representation of the dispensing componentof FIGS. 1A-1E;

FIG. 4A is the first part of a flow diagram illustrating a process fordispensing an item;

FIG. 4B is the second part of the flow diagram illustrating a processfor dispensing an item;

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for tracking an order;

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for tracking a return;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for spillage calibrationand tracking;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating a dispensing process;

FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of item identification usingbackground subtraction; and

FIG. 10 is schematic representation of a dispensing system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The system and method described herein can be used to enable orfacilitate the transfer or dispensing of any of a variety of products,items or the like. The system can be utilized in conjunction with nearlyany type of product, item or the like so long as such product, item orthe like can be physically accommodated in the system, including but notlimited to, food, beverages, groceries, pharmaceuticals, retailmerchandise, parts, components, work pieces, hardware, electronicequipment the like, and are collectively termed “items” herein. In onecase the item is transferred from or between two users, parties orentities, termed herein a “dispensing” user, party or entity on the onehand, and a “retrieving” user party or entity on the other hand (alsosometimes termed a “recipient”).

The dispensing party can be for example, a party or entity that owns,controls and/or operates retail operations, grocery stores,restaurant/food service companies and other sales, leasing and/ordelivery operations. The dispensing party can also or instead be aninventory and asset management company such as a warehouse operator,factory floor operator, medical or health care facility, IT facility, orother entities or operations which track assets. The recipient can inone case be an individual such as a purchaser or customer, or caninstead be an entity that is represented by or acting through anindividual (such as an agent) or individuals who can physically acquirean item on behalf of the entity, such as an employee who picks up anitems on behalf of his/her employer. In these or other cases it ispossible that title/ownership of the item is, has been or will betransferred from the dispensing party to the retrieving party, such asin a sale transaction. In certain other cases, the recipient can be aworker, employee or agent of the dispensing entity, such as where thetransferred items are useful to the recipient in carrying out his/herjob duties. In this case title/ownership of the dispensed items is notnecessarily transferred through use of the disclosed system or method.For example the dispensed items can in one case be inventoried itemsthat are transferred to employees of the dispensing entity for use orconsumption on or behalf of the dispensing entity. The system and methodmay also be used in various other settings, such as in a lending orleasing arrangement and/or to return a product to the dispensing partyin a return transaction, etc.

With reference to FIGS. 1-3, in one embodiment the dispenser ordispensing system 10 includes a component, dispenser or dispensingcomponent 12 defining a surface or dispensing surface 14 which canphysically support the item or items 16 to be dispensed and/or tracked.In one embodiment, the dispensing component 12 includes or take the formof a shelf or shelf system with multiple dispensing surfaces 14 a, 14 b,where the dispensing surfaces 14 a, 14 b are vertically spaced apart inthe particular illustrated embodiment, but could also be horizontallyspaced or in other configurations. While two dispensing surfaces 14 a,14 b are shown, the system 10/dispensing component 12 can include moreor less numbers of dispensing surfaces 14. In one case, the dispensingsurfaces 14 a, 14 b may be generally flat, planar and parallel, and lackany cut-outs, depressions, printed indicia or other features thatpredetermine where the items 16 may or must be located such that theitems 16 can be positioned on the dispensing surfaces 14 at any of avariety of locations. In other cases the dispensing surfaces 14 a, 14 bcan include any combination of cut-outs, depressions, printed indicia orother features to receive and/or stabilize the items 16 or guide in thepositioning or dispensing of items 16 thereon.

The multiple dispensing surfaces 14 a, 14 b can be spaced apart,discontinuous and/or not directly physically contiguous, such asmultiples shelves on a shelving unit, and can have the outwardappearance of a standard shelving unit or the like. However thedispensing component 12 can take any of a variety of other forms beyondthat shown or described herein such as a table, table top, counter top,rack, drawer, desk, tray, cart, cabinet, or the like, or larger spaceslike a storage room, or simply an area of floor space. The dispensingcomponent 12 may be fixed in place or may be movable, such as a wheeledtray or the like such that the dispensing component 12 can betransported from one location to another. The dispensing component 12can be formed from multiple modular sub-components which can releasablyattached together, and/or to a variety of other items (such as a racks,a storage space or a roof of room) to form the dispensing component 12.

If desired the dispensing component 12 can include generally enclosedcavities (such as those in a locker system) with sidewalls and doors,drawers or the like (not shown) that must be opened, moved or otherwiseactuated in order to access the dispensing surface 14. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, in some cases a recipient must beauthenticated before being able to access the dispensing surface 14(e.g. be required to be authenticated before opening the door, drawer,or the like), and/or be authenticated prior to placing an/or removing anitem 16 from the dispensing surface 14, while in other cases noauthentication is required for access, placement and/or removal of items16.

The system 10 can further include a sensor or sensor system 18 whichincludes or is in one case made up of sensor portions 18 a, 18 b. In theembodiment of FIG. 1 each sensor portions 18 a, 18 b is positioned abovethe associated dispensing surface(s) 14 a, 14 b, but the sensor 18 orsensor portions 18 a, 18 b, can be positioned below and/or integratedinto the surfaces 14, be located to the side of the surfaces 14, etc. Inone case the first sensor portion 18 a is positioned on the underside ofan arm 17 positioned above the top dispensing surface 14 a, and thesecond sensor portion 18 b can in one case be positioned on theunderside of the top dispensing surface 14 a as shown in FIGS. 1B and1C. The sensor 18 can include as many sensor portions 18 a, 18 b, asnecessary or desired.

The sensor 18 is operatively coupled to a controller 20 and/or acontroller or sub-controller 20 a that can receive and process theoutput of the sensor 18. The sensor 18 and/or controller 20 can beconfigured to identify items 16 positioned on the dispensing surface 14,identify their positions and track the movement of such items 16, suchas identifying and tracking items 16 on the dispensing surface 14,removal of the items 16 from the surface 14, movement of items 16 fromone portion/position of the surface 14 to another portion/position,presence/absence of the items 16 on the surface 14, etc. In one caseeach sub-controller 20 a, 20 b is coupled to or associated with a singledispensing component 12, and the system 10 can include as manysub-controllers 20 a, 20 b as necessary or desired.

The sensor or sensor system 18 can take any of a wide variety of form ofsensors, including optical sensors such as cameras (including depthcamera and time-of-flight cameras), charge coupled device (“CCD”)sensors, LIDAR, etc. that in one case have an unobstructed line of sightto the items 16 being sensed. The sensor or sensor system 18 can alsoinclude other sensing devices such as pressure or force sensors, weightsensors, detectors based on mechanical forces, membraneswitches/sensors, magnetic switches/sensors, light or electromagneticradiation (visible, infrared or otherwise) sensors, contact sensors,photoelectric sensors, ultrasonic sensors, piezoelectric sensors,piezoresistive sensors, accelerometers, motion sensors, tilt sensors,proximity sensors, electric field sensors and the like.

The system 10 also includes a display or display device 22 whichincludes or is made up of, in one case, display portions 22 a, 22 b, 22c, 22 d, 22 e operatively coupled to the controller 20/sensor 18. Asbest shown in FIG. 2A, the display device 22 may include front displayportions 22 a, 22 b, such as display ribbons, that are facing and/orconfigured to display information to a person (such as a recipient orreceiving person or entity 42) positioned on the front side of thedispensing component 12. The display device 22 can also include reardisplay portions 22 c, 22 d (FIG. 1C), such as display ribbons, that arefacing and/or configured to display information to a person (such as adispensing person or entity 40) positioned on the rear side of thedispensing component 12. In the illustrated embodiment the front 22 a,22 b and rear 22 c, 22 d display portions are located at, adjacent to,or form the front or rear edge of the associated shelf or dispensingsurface 14 a, 14 b. Moreover, in the illustrated embodiment the displayportions 22 a, 22 b, 22 c, 22 d can take the form of a dynamic displayscreen such as a LED display, plasma display, LCD screen, etc.

The display device 22 can also or instead include display device portion22 e (FIG. 1E) which includes or take the form of a projector orprojectors that can project light, text, images, video or the like ontothe adjacent dispensing surface 14 a, 14 b. The display device 22 canalso include various other indicators, lights or the like, which candisplay alphanumeric text, images, photos, video, animation, etc. In onecase the dispensing component 12/display device 22 may also beconfigured to provide an audio output or other output that can be sensedby a recipient 42 or other user.

As will be described in greater detail below, the dispensing entity orperson 40 can load the items 16 onto the dispensing surface 14 of thedispensing component 12, and information associated with the items 16can be conveyed to the controller 20/sub-controller 20 a. Suchinformation can be conveyed by automatic (electronic) transmission (e.g.from another computer or controller) or manually input into thecontroller 20/sub-controller 20 a, such as via an input device or userinterface 30. The input device 30 can include or take the form of anopen-access input device 30 a, which is accessible from the front and/orback side of the dispensing component 12 for use by the dispensingentity 40 and/or recipient 42. The input device 30 can include or takethe form of a restricted-access input device 30 b which is located onthe back side of the dispensing component 12 and designed for use onlyby the dispensing entity 40.

When a dispensing entity places an item 16 on the system 10, in one casethe dispensing entity can also input a code for the item 16 into theinput device 30 which enables the controller 20 to retrieve theinformation associated with the item 16 or order (e.g. a collection oflinked items 16, item 16 to be picked up by a single recipient 42,etc.). The inputted, retrieved or conveyed information can include, forexample, the name or identity of the recipient of the item 16/order, thename or identity of the company/entity associated with the recipient 42(if there is one), the contents and/or qualities of the items 16/order,an order identification number, a description of the items 16 beingdispensed, cost of the items 16 (for items that are being sold), etc.The display device 22 can be configured to display all or some of theinformation relating to item 16 positioned on the dispensing surface 14.The information associated with an item 16 may be displayed once theitem 16 is positioned on the surface 14, or in some cases before theitem 16 is placed on the surface 14 so that in one case for example therecipient 42 knows which position to monitor for their order.

The sensor system 18 may be configured to automatically identify items16 placed on the surface 14 by sensing certain parameters of the item16, such as dimensions, weight, footprint, shape, conductivity, etc. andcomparing the measured parameters to a database that maps or correlatesthe measured parameters to parameters/physical qualities of items 16stored in the database to thereby identify the item 16. The items 16 canalso be identified by the sensor system 18 taking readings and utilizingan artificial intelligence system or the like. As noted above, the items16 can also be identified by manual or automatic input at the time theyare placed on the system 10, and the sensor system 18 can augment orconfirm such input. Alternatively the sensor system 18 may independentlyidentify the items 16 on the surface 14 without any such external dataprovided via the input device 30 or otherwise. In any case, once theitems 16 are identified, the controller 20/system 10 may thenautomatically know or retrieve certain various parameters of the item16, such as size, weight, temperature, shelf life, or the like.

As suggested in FIG. 2B, the surfaces 14 a, 14 b may be heated or cooledin order to maintain a desired temperature and preserve the shelf lifeof items 16. In an exemplary dispenser or dispensing system, all or partof one or more dispensing surfaces, e.g., surface 14 a, may be heatedabove ambient temperature so as to maintain an elevated temperature forthe dispensing of items such as hot food or drinks. In the same or otherexemplary dispenser or dispensing systems, all or part of one or moredispensing surfaces, e.g., surface 14 b, may be cooled below ambienttemperature so as to maintain a depressed temperature for the dispensingof items such as cold or frozen food or drinks. In the illustrateddispensing system 10, at least one dispensing surface 14 b may be cooledby at least thermoelectric heat pump or so-called “Peltier element” 44.The thermoelectric heat pump(s) 44 may reject heat to either the ambientenvironment or to a heat transfer device such as a circulating fluidline 45. Each shelf 14 can include its own associated heat pump 44 inone case, or more than one shelf 14 can share a heat pump 44. In somesystems, the heated fluid of the circulating fluid line 45, flowing awayfrom the shelf 14, may be passed through an air-source heat exchanger 46in order to reduce the temperature of the heated fluid to apredetermined temperature. The air-source heat exchanger 46 may beinteractively coupled to or operated by the controller 20 or beconfigured to actively cool the heated fluid in line 45 if the fluid isabove a pre-selected temperature. It will be appreciated that in other,similar systems the heated fluid may alternately be passed directly toanother dispensing surface 14.

In the illustrated dispensing system, all or part at least one otherdispensing surface, e.g., surface 14 a, may be heated above ambienttemperature through subsequent contact with the heated fluid of fluidline 45, i.e., may use the rejected heat from the thermoelectric heatpump(s) 44 and the “cold” dispensing surface, 14 b, to heat a “hot”dispensing surface, 14 a. The expended fluid from the “hot” dispensingsurface 14 a may either be collected in an expended fluid line 47 orcirculate back to the thermoelectric heat pump(s) 44, such as in aheat-pipe-based heat transfer device. If the circulating fluid is anexpendable liquid such as water, the circulating fluid line 45 andexpended fluid line 47 may comprise a (locally) open loop cooling systemfed from a water loop. If the circulating fluid is a conserved liquidsuch as a glycol solution, the circulating fluid line 45 and expendedfluid line 47 may comprise a closed loop cooling system.

In the illustrated system a reservoir 48 supplies fluid to a pump 49that feeds the circulating fluid line 45, and the expended fluid line 47returns fluid to the reservoir 48. In other variations, the reservoir 48may be paired or substituted with another air-source heat exchanger (notshown) to actively cool the fluid prior to uptake by the circulatingfluid line 45. It will be appreciated that in variations of the activelyheated or cooled system, at least one shelf 14 may be cooled belowambient temperature by alternate mechanisms such as a chilled fluid linefed by a remote chiller, and/or that at least one shelf 14 may be heatedabove ambient temperature by alternate mechanisms such as a heated fluidline or an electrically resistive heater.

In some cases the display device 22 is configured to display indicia orinformation 23 relating to the item 16 at a location physicallyassociated with the item 16. For example, the dispensing component 12can be configured to store items 16 for pickup by multiple recipients(John Doe, Jane Doe, and R. Smith in the embodiment of FIG. 1A). In theillustrated case, the items 16 are spaced laterally across a width ofthe surfaces 14 a, 14 b, and the front display portions 22 a, 22 bdisplay information 23, in the form of the identity of the recipients 42in the illustrated embodiment, at a lateral location that corresponds tothe lateral location of the corresponding item(s) 16.

The displayed information 23 can be physically associated with the items16 in any of a variety of manners. For example, as outlined above andshown in FIG. 1A, the displayed information 23 can be displayed on oradjacent to a front edge of the dispensing surface 14, at a locationthat corresponds to the lateral position of the item(s) 16. For example,in one case at least part of information 23 on the display portion 22 isat the same lateral location (left-to-right in the illustratedembodiment), or at least partially overlaps in the lateral direction,with the lateral location of the associated item(s) 16. Alternatively,where the items 16 are vertically spaced, the display portions 22 mayalso extend vertically, and the displayed information 23 can be locatedat a vertically corresponding location. Further alternatively, thedisplayed information 23 can be projected onto the dispensing surface 14at a location adjacent to, or directly on/over, the item(s) 16, as shownin FIG. 1E.

As noted above, the dispensing component 12 can include back displayportions 22 c, 22 d (FIG. 1C). During dispensing operations, thedispensing person or entity 40 may load items 16 onto the dispensingsurface 14 from a back side of the dispensing component 12, and therecipient 42 may access and retrieve items from a front side of thedispensing component 12. The back display portions 22 c, 22 d canprovide information to the dispensing entity 40 so that the dispensingentity 40 can properly provide and track the items 16. The information23 displayed to the dispensing entity 40 can be the same or differentfrom the information displayed to the recipient 42 as outlined above.For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 1C, the information on the backdisplay portions 22 c, 22 d, provides information relating to theidentity of the recipient, the expected pick-up time, the amount of timeof an overdue pickup, amounts of payment due by the recipient 42, etc.

As shown in FIG. 3, multiple dispensing components 12 can be usedtogether and linked/controlled via the controller 20. Each component 12can include a sub-controller 20 a that is physically coupled to orassociated with a single dispensing component 12 and operatively coupledto the associated sensor 18, display device 22, and also operativelycoupled the controller 20 and/or other sub-controllers 20 a. Thesub-controllers 20 a/controller 20 can, in turn, be operatively coupledto an order tracking system 26 and an order creation system 28 (whichcan be also be operatively coupled together) which can be part of orreside on a controller 20 and/or the controller 20 or sub-controllers 20a. The controller 20 can also be operatively coupled to the inputdevices 30.

The input device 30 can take any of a variety of forms of devices thatprovide a user interface and/or communication with the controller20/dispenser 12. In one case the input device 30 may be physicallycoupled to the display component 12, and can take the form of a keypad(see FIG. 1), touch pad, voice recognition module, mouse or other cursorcontrol device. However the input device 30 can also or instead bephysically uncoupled from the dispenser 12, and can in one case includeor take the form of a mobile device 24 (such as a cellular phone,tablet, computer, or specialized programmed mobile device, etc.)wireless sensor, scanner, augmented reality glasses, etc. In cases wherethe input device 30 takes the form of a mobile device or other certaincomponents, the input device may be able to be possessed/controlled byindividuals and not be physically coupled to the dispenser 12. The inputdevice 30 can have a memory to store data, such as in one case adelivery code and/or pickup code as will be described in greater detailbelow. Moreover, while the dispenser 12 is illustrated as include twoinput devices 30 a, 30 b, the dispenser 12 may only include a singleinput device, such as input device 30 a, which both dispensing entities40 and recipients 42 can use.

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a process for dispensing an item16 which can be implemented in conjunction with the dispensing component12 shown in FIGS. 1-3. The method shown in FIG. 4 has five participants(which can be devices, components, parties, entities, individuals or thelike, or combinations thereof): dispenser or dispensing entity 40,recipient 42, dispensing component 12, order creation system 28, andorder tracking system 26. The process of FIG. 4 starts with recipient 42placing an order in the order creation system 28, shown as step 50. Therecipient 42 can place the order by any of a variety of mechanisms,methods or channels, such as by interacting, via mobile device 24, withan app of the dispensing entity 40 or a related (partnering) entity, byvisiting an online website and communicating the order via the internetor world wide web, via phone, in-person ordering (such as at a counter)or other methods.

When placing the order, the recipient 42 can enter or provideinformation such as the identity of the person/entity placing the order(e.g. identity of the recipient 42/customer), the identity of theperson/entity paying for the order (if payment is required) (which insome cases may also be the identity of the customer), method of payment,the identity of the person/entity picking up the order (which in somecases may also be same person as the customer), the identity andquantity of the items 16 desired to be acquired,characteristics/modifications/customization of the items 16 (e.g.specifics of a food or beverage order in one case), method of desiredpackaging/assembly, date and time of desired pick-up, and other relevantinformation. This information is received by/conveyed to the ordercreation system 28 which creates, at step 52, an order to be fulfilledby the dispensing entity 40. The system 10/order creation system 28 thencreates a record of the order in the order tracking system 26, as shownat steps 54 and 56.

After the record of the order is created in the order tracking system26, at step 56 the order tracking system 26 creates transaction codes,such as for example a delivery code that is transmitted to thedispensing entity 40, and/or a pickup code that is transmitted to therecipient 42. The codes can take any of a wide variety of forms, such asalphanumeric codes, scannable codes or symbols (such as bar codes),transmittable signals, etc. Next, as shown at step 58, the dispensingentity 40 undertakes work to prepare/fulfill the open order. Forexample, an employee or agent, automated device (e.g. robot) of thedispensing entity 40 and/or others may receive a record of the order andthe employee, agent, automated device, etc. then undertakes steps tophysically acquire and/or assemble the items 16 in accordance with theorder. At step 60, when the dispensing entity 40 has completed preparingthe order, the order is then physically loaded into the dispensingcomponent 12, as shown at step 62. The process of loading the order intothe dispensing component 12 can in one case simply involve placing theitems 16 associated with the order onto any unoccupied region of thedispensing surface 14 of the dispensing component 12 as shown in FIGS.1-3.

Once all of the items 16 associated with the order are placed on thedispensing component 12, the loading person or automated device of thedispensing entity 40 may notify the system 10/controller 20 by, forexample in one case, interacting with the dispensing entity input device30 b, as shown in step 64. For example in one case the dispensingentity/loading person 40 may input or scan the delivery code associatedwith the order into the dispensing entity input device 30 b, and press abutton of the input device 30 b labeled “Order Fulfilled/Loaded” or thelike. Once this is done the sensor 18 may scan the dispensing surface 14to confirm that the sensed items 16 comply with the items 16 for thatorder. Alternatively, rather than have a loading person or automateddevice signal the controller 20 once the order is fulfilled, the system10 may automatically recognize when the order is fulfilled by, forexample, the output of the sensor 18. In any case, once it is determinedthat the order is fulfilled, the system 10 marks the order as“delivered” as shown at step 66.

At step 68, after the order has been loaded into the dispensingcomponent 12, the system 10 sends a notification to the recipient 42 theorder is ready for pickup. The pickup code may also be transmitted tothe recipient 42 at this time (see FIG. 1A), or re-transmitted if thepickup code was previously transmitted to the recipient 42. Thenotification to the recipient 42 at this step can be sent by variousmeans such as text/sms message to the recipient's mobile device 24,email, messaging via an app (including the app of the dispensing entity40 and/or business partners, social media apps etc.) phone call,activating a RFID device, wireless signals (including BLUETOOTH® signalsas described in greater detail below) etc. Besides notifying therecipient 42 that the order is ready, the notification may also includeinformation relating to the position of the items 16 in/on thedispensing component 12 (e.g. “upper shelf, right side”) and/or theidentity and/or location of the associated dispensing component 12 (e.g.“Dispenser #1”, “Southwest Dispenser,” “Unit 2A”) when the pickuplocation has multiple dispensing components 12. As shown at step 70 anddescribed above, the system 10 can also display information relating tothe order on the front display portions 22 a, 22 b, such as the name ofthe recipient 42, or other specifics relating to the order.

The recipient 42 may carry on his or her person a mobile device 24 thatcan wirelessly communicate over short ranges in some cases, withoutrequiring any action by the recipient 42, including by wirelesstechnology including short wavelength UHF radio waves, such asBLUETOOTH® or BLUETOOTH® low energy network technology, or by otherpersonal area network or local area network connectivity technology, orby a RFID tag or the like. The range of the signal transmitted/receivedby the recipient's mobile device 24 can vary as desired and dependingupon particular circumstances, but in one case is a distance of greaterthan about 5 feet, and in another case greater than about 20 feet, andin one case less than about 200 feet. When the recipient 42 approachesthe dispensing component 12 the recipient's mobile device 24 can therebybroadcast a signal of its presence, shown as step 72. The recipient'smobile device 24 may also automatically (and/or if prompted or allowedby the recipient 42) broadcast the details of the pickup order, such asthe recipient's identity, the pickup code, etc. The dispensing component12, controller 20 or order tracking system 26 may include or be coupledto a wireless communication device that can receive the signal from therecipient's mobile device 24 as shown at step 74. However, the recipient42 can provide the pickup code or other authentication by any of a widevariety of other methods or means.

In another case, the recipient 42 can also be identified and/orauthenticated by a key fob or other wireless device that is carried bythe recipient 42, which transmits in the radio frequency or at otherfrequencies. The dispensing component 12, controller 20 or ordertracking system 26 can incorporate a reader that can recognize thesignal transmitted by the key fob to identify/authenticate the recipient42. In this case, a recipient 42 may be automatically identified as heor she approaches the physical location of a dispensing component 12.Alternately, the recipient 42 can be authenticated (if authentication isrequired) through remote messaging to the controller 20 from anindependent device or network, such as a cell phone, mobile phone ordevice carried by the recipient 42, via a text message, a sms message orthe like.

The recipient 42 can also be identified and/or authenticated (ifdesired) by any of a wide variety of other means or mechanisms,including entering information via the recipient input device 30 (FIGS.1A and 3) by the use of a mechanical or electronic key, by swiping acard with a magnetic stripe, through the use of biometrics (includingfacial recognition, fingerprint recognition, etc.), or combinationsthereof. As noted above, in some cases the recipient 42 may need to beidentified and/or authenticated before the recipient 42 is allowedphysical access to the dispensing surface 14 (e.g. an unidentifiedand/or unauthorized user may be blocked from accessing the dispensingsurface 14 by a locked locker door, room door, slidable shelf, etc.,until after the recipient 42 is identified and/or authorized). Howeveras will be described in greater detail below, in some cases therecipient 42 does not need to be identified and/or authenticated.

As shown at step 76, the recipient 42 is authenticated (in theparticular illustrated embodiment) by the order tracking system 26, inone case by for example by receiving a pickup code from the recipient 42(such as via transmission from their mobile device, by receiving a codevia the input device 30, etc.), checking the validity of the pickupcode, and if there is a match, authenticating the recipient 42.Alternatively the recipient 42 can be authenticated at step 76 by thevarious other methods outlined above. Once the recipient 42 isauthenticated, the position of the items 16 associated with therecipient's order can be identified and/or highlighted (such as byflashing text, audio output, differing or brighter colors, etc.) on thefront display portions 22 a, 22 b, or on the projected display portion22 e, or by other means, indicated at step 78. The recipient 42 thenidentifies his or her order and picks up and takes possession of theassociated items 16, as shown in step 80 and illustrated in FIG. 1D.

After the recipient 42 picks up and takes position of an item 16associated with the order the sensor system 18 can identify which items16 are removed, such as by background subtraction or other methods andwill be described in greater detail below, as shown at step 82. Thesystem 10 then references the identity of the items 16 that were removedand compares the information to the order details associated with theitem 16. Once the system 10/sensor 18 confirms that the order has beenentirely properly removed or dispensed, the displayed order information(e.g. displayed on the front display portion 22 a, 22 b, 22 e) isremoved (step 84 and FIG. 1D), and the order tracking system 26 marksthe order as complete or picked-up (step 86). If desired the frontdisplay portion 22 a, 22 b can identify the items 16 that have beenremoved, the quantity of items removed, and other qualities (such as forexample in flashing text for a limited time (a few seconds in one case)after removal).

If the order includes multiple items 16, and only some of the items 16are indicated by the sensor 18 (e.g. at step 80) to be picked up, thesystem 10 may provide a notification to the recipient on the frontdisplay portions 22 a, 22 b, such as “Please pick up your remainingitems,” or “Don't forget your coffee,” or by other indicia such asflashing lights or texting, audio output, etc.

If a non-authenticated recipient 42 attempts to remove an item 16/orderor portions of an order and/or if an authenticated recipient 42 attemptsto remove an item 16 or items 16 not associated with their order, thesystem 10 may provide a notification on the front display portions 22 a,22 b, such as “Wrong Order,” or “Your order is on the other shelf” or byother indicia such as flashing lights or audio output, etc. In additionan output signal including information related to the improper retrievalor attempted retrieval may be provided to the dispensing entity 40 sothat the dispensing entity 40 can intervene if desired. An output signalincluding information related to the improper retrieval or attemptedretrieval may also be provided to the recipient 42, such as by therecipient's mobile device 24.

As noted above, in some cases the recipient 42 is not required to beidentified and/or authenticated by the system 10, for example insituations where the recipient 42 is independently authenticatedelsewhere, or where the dispensing component 12 and recipient 42 arelocated inside a secure environment (such as inside a secure workplacewhere the system 10 is used to dispense inventory), where items arebeing given away for free, or where the dispensing entity 40 hasotherwise determined that authentication is not required. In this casethe method shown in FIG. 4 can be carried out without the authenticationsteps (e.g. without steps 72, 74 and 76).

As noted above, a single order can include multiple items 16, and thecurrent system 10 and method can include systems and methods to trackthe various items 16 that constitute an order. For example, FIG. 5 is aflow diagram illustrating a process for tracking an order which can beimplemented in conjunction with the dispensing component 12 shown inFIGS. 1-3. This flow diagram details the operations after the dispensingentity 40 has loaded an order on the dispensing surface 14 (shown asstep 90 of FIG. 5) and/or indicated that order loading is complete (e.g.after, or contemporaneous with, steps 62, 64, 66, 68 or 70 of FIG. 4).At step 92 of FIG. 5, the system 10/controller 20 retrieves theinformation relating to the order from the order tracking system 26. Thesensor system 18 then, at step 94, performs background subtraction oranother method of object identification, and identifies the location ofnew items 16 placed on the dispensing surface 14.

This background subtraction step 94 can include first (e.g. prior toloading the particular items 16/order) conducting foreground detectionto establish a baseline image, and comparing images (and/or other dataor output from the sensor 18) from a time just before loading began(which the system 10 can tell by the dispensing entity 40 indicatingthat loading is about to begin via a input device 30, and/or by sensorsystem 18), to a time after loading is complete (e.g. when thedispensing entity 40 indicates loading is complete, for example at step64 of FIG. 4). The system 10 and/or sensor system 18, in some cases incombination with the controller 20 and/or associated sub-controllers 20a, 20 b, may also perform object recognition to identify the variousitems 16 associated with the order, and identify and track theirlocation, outer dimensions, shape, reflective qualities, electricalconductivity, and/or other properties to properly identify and determinethe location of the item 16. The system 10 and sensor system 18 mayalternately perform object identification using surface indicia such asconventional or matrix (so-called “QR code”) bar codes that have beenapplied to or assigned to the various items 16 associated with theorder. If multiple dispensing surfaces 14 are available (e.g. thedispensing component 12 has multiple shelves and/or multiple dispensingcomponents 12 are utilized) this step can be performed across allavailable dispensing surfaces 14.

At step 96 the position of the new items 16 on the dispensing surface 14are identified, and the new items 16 are associated with the order ifappropriate. At step 98 the order details are displayed on the frontdisplay portions 22 a, 22 b, indicating the location of the order on thedispensing surface 14, where the displayed information 23 can bephysically associated with the position of the items 16/order asoutlined above. At step 100, the position of the items 16 is thenrecorded in the controller 20.

Since the various items 16 in an order are linked, the system 10 cantrack the position of all items 16 associated within a single order. Forexample, the dispensing entity 40 would presumably, if space permits,place all items associated with an order adjacent to each other, on asingle surface 14. However, in some cases a single order can span morethan one shelves, 14, such as the order for “John Doe” in FIG. 1E whichspans two shelves 14. Due to the size of an order and/or if thedispensing surface 14 is already relatively crowded, the items 16 for asingle order may be required to be spaced apart on the dispensingsurface 14, and/or located on differing surfaces 14, or even a differingdispensing component 12. Moreover, sometimes items 16 can be shiftedover time, for example if a recipient 42 (and/or dispenser 40) picks upan item 16 and inspects the item 16 before returning the item 16 to adifferent location. The system 10 can track all of the various items 16of an order regardless of where they are moved, using in one casebackground subtraction.

In some cases certain items 16 of a dispensing component 12 ordispensing surface 14 may be visually similar at first glance, or beidentical or nearly identical, which can make tracking items 16 by thesensors 18 difficult, particularly when the various items 16 are removedfrom the line-of-sight of the sensor 18. In order to address thispotential issue the system 10/sensor 18/controller 20 can includemachine learning algorithms and other tracking algorithms that canuniquely identify and track each item 16, even when the items 16 are outof view of the sensor 18 using the unique visual and/or geometricsignature of each item 16 (e.g. physical anomalies (such as markings,scratches, scuffs on the item)), and/or using identifiers that are addedto the items 16, such as markers, handwritten notations, stickers, ortracking unique material variations and shape of each item 16.

For example, FIG. 1E illustrates a scenario where items 16 a and 16 bare positioned on the upper dispensing surface 14 a and associated withan order for “John Doe.” The front upper display portion 22 a displaysindicia 23 “John Doe” that is generally physically aligned with theassociated items 16 a, 16 b. The upper dispensing surface 14 a alsoincludes item 16 c that is associated with an order for “Jane Doe”. Thefront upper display portion 22 a displays indicia 23 “Jane Doe” that isgenerally physically aligned with that item 16 c. Finally, item 16 d ispositioned on lower upper dispensing surface 14 b and associated withthe order for “John Doe,” and the front lower display portion 22Bdisplays indicia 23 “John Doe” that is generally physically aligned withitem 16 d.

In FIG. 1F the positioning of items 16 c and 16 d has been switched by auser. In this case the sensor 18/system 10 can automatically recognizethat the position of the items 16 c, 16 d has been changed or reversedand will continue to track the status of those items 16 c, 16 d. Inaddition the system 10 will recognize that the items 16 a, 16 b, 16 dare part of the same order and/or intended for the same recipient, andare adjacent to each other. In this case the indicia 23 “John Doe” onthe upper front display portion 22 a can be automatically increased insize or font, or stretched to extend the length of the display portion22 a and/or generally match the outmost lateral dimensions of the items16 in that order, to automatically adjust to the adjusted “size”(spanning lateral dimension) of the order of items 16. In addition, theindicia 23 displayed on the lower front display portion 22B isautomatically adjusted to display “Jane Doe” at the appropriatelocation. In this manner, the items 16 can be moved and adjusted, andorders can be combined (as shown) or broken apart (opposite to the stepsshown in FIGS. 1E and 1F), but the system 10 can automatically adjust,continuing to track the items 16 and adjust the display system 22 anddisplayed information 23 accordingly.

The system 10/dispensing component 12 can also be used to return items16. In this case, the roles of the “recipient” and “dispensing entity”may be reversed from that described above, and returning entity (the“dispensing entity” in a return transaction) may place the items 16 ontothe dispensing component 12 for example from the front side, and thereturn-receiving entity (the “recipient” in the return transaction) mayremove the items 16 from the dispensing component 12 for example fromthe back side. In this case the returning entity 42 may have beenprovided with a return code which corresponds in concept to the ordercode in the example above. When the returning entity 42 approaches thedispensing component 12 the front display portions 22 a, 22 b and/orprojected display 22 e may cue the returning entity 42 where to placethe items 16 to be returned on the dispensing component 12.Alternatively, the returning entity 42 may be free to place the returneditems 16 at any open location on the dispensing component 12.

Once the item 16 to be returned is placed on the dispensing component12, the sensor 18 may scan the dispensing surface 14 to sense, identifyand/or confirm the status and identity of the returned items 16. Thesystem 10/controller 20 may then send a notice to the return-receivingentity 40 (e.g. to their mobile device 24) and/or may identify thelocation of the returned item 16 on the back display portions 22 a, 22 b(and/or projected display 22 e). Once the return-receiving entity 40 hasremoved the returned item 16 from the dispensing component 12 and/orconfirmed the return, the return-receiving entity 40 may mark the statusof the item 16 as “returned,” provide a notice/receipt to the returningentity 42 and/or issue a credit or payment to the returning entity 42 ifappropriate.

FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of a process forreceiving returns for an item 16 and associated transactions for assetmanagement. The process starts at step 102 with the recipient/returningentity 42 approaching the dispensing system 10/dispensing component 12and, in the illustrated embodiment, the returning entity's mobile device24 communicating with the dispensing system 10. Alternatively thereturning entity 42 can be identified and/or authenticated in themanners outlined above, and in another case the returning entity 42 isnot required to be identified and/or authenticated. If a return code isutilized, at step 104 the dispensing component 12 (and/or the associatedsub-controller 20 a or controller 20) receives the return code.Alternatively the returning entity 42 can communicate the authenticationcode via input device 30.

At step 106, the order tracking system 26 receives the return code andvalidates the return code with an asset tracking and authenticationsystem, and identifies permissions. The returning entity 42 thenindicates his/her intent to return an item 16 by the returning entity'smobile device 24 and/or by an input device 30. Each item 16 may have aunique identifier that is also communicated to dispensing component 12along with state of the item 16 in step 108. The state of the item canrelate to nearly any quality of the item 16 such as name, description,size, color, charge status (e.g. for loaned items with rechargeablebatteries), identified damage, useful life left, item number,identification of a malfunction or defect, etc., and the information canbe communicated by the user's mobile device 24 and/or the input devices30, such as in one case by prompting the returning entity 42 to answercertain queries. Next at step 110 the returning entity 42 places theitem 16 to be returned on an available space on the dispensing surface14 of the dispensing component 12. At step 112 the sensor 18 identifiesthe new item 16 placed on the dispensing surface 14. At step 116 thedispensing component 12 provider information confirming the return usingfront display portion 22 a, 22 b or other communication to the returningentity 42. Next at step 116 a transaction is created on the ordertracking system 26 including the details of the item 16, such as theunique identifier for the item 16, that was returned.

In some cases the dispensing surface 14/dispensing component 12 can havespills, stains, dirt, debris, etc. which are not easily cleaned up andpresent a persistent image (collectively termed “spillage” herein),which can interfere with proper readings by the sensor 18, if notproperly accounted for. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a processfor calibrating the system 10/sensor 18 to account for spillage, toensure the sensor system 18 does not mistakenly identify the spills asitems 16 to be dispensed.

This process of FIG. 7 begins at step 120 with personnel from thedispensing entity 40 identifying the fact that there is spillage andcommunicating with the controller 20 that there is spill. The dispensingentity 40 can communicate the fact that there is spillage via thedispensing entity input device 30 b (FIGS. 1C and 3) such as byactivating a “spillage” button in one case, or by using a mobile deviceor other user interface.

At step 122, the controller 20 stops all transactions and initializesthe spillage calibration process. In some cases, the fact that thecalibration process is underway may be communicated to recipients 42and/or dispensers 40 via the display device 22. The spillage calibrationprocess includes the sensor system 18 conducting a backgroundsubtraction process at step 124. In some cases the backgroundsubtraction process at step 124 is based on the assumption that allvalid items 16 have been removed from the surface 14 (or have alreadybeen identified by the sensor system 18 and that their location/identityis known), such that any other “items” 16 identified as foreground items(e.g. non-background items) are identified as spillage, particularlythose that have a small thickness, if any is detectable. At step 126 thesystem 10/sensor 18 identifies the spillage and stores its location.

The display device 22 may then provide an output indicating that thesystem 10 has finished calibration and is ready to resume normaldispensing activity, as shown in step 128. At step 130, the controller20 ends the calibration process and resumes normal dispensingoperations. These spillage locations can then be ignored (e.g. notidentified as items 16 for dispensing) during item detection steps goingforward.

In some cases, if the spillage is later cleaned up (e.g. during aheavy-duty cleaning, stain removal process, etc.) the calibrationprocess of FIG. 7 can be repeated and the previously-identified spillageitems removed from the memory of the sensor 18/system 10.

FIG. 8 illustrates a process 140 for dispensing an order which has beenfulfilled and placed on the dispensing component 12, is awaiting pickup,and can use the system 10 and methods shown in FIGS. 1-7 and describedabove. At step 150, the system 10 receives information relating to adispensing transaction, wherein a dispensing entity 40 has placed theorder on or in the dispensing component 42. The received information caninclude the identity of the item 16, the location of the item 16 on thedispensing surface 14, and a pickup code, along with other informationas identified herein. Next, at step 152, the dispensing system 10detects the recipient's mobile device 24 and receives the pickup codefrom the mobile device 24. The mobile device 24 may be detected by andmay transmit the pickup code by any means, such as by signalstransmitted over a local area network connection, radio-frequencytransmissions sent and received via a Bluetooth connection, aradio-frequency identification (RFID) tag, or other means as describedabove. Of course, as outlined above the recipient 42 can be authorizedby differing means than his or her mobile device 24, and in analternative embodiment may not need to be authenticated at all. Inaddition the pickup code (if utilized) can be transmitted and confirmedby any of a wide variety of methods besides transmission by arecipient's mobile device 24.

Next, at step 154, if the pickup code is proper, then the status of theorder is changed to “authorized” for dispensing, or the like. At step156, the dispensing system 10/dispensing component 12 autonomouslyhighlights and/or identifies the position of the items 16 for that orderusing the display device 22. Finally, at step 158, when the sensorsystem 18 confirms that all items 16 from the order have been picked upfrom the dispensing surfaces 14 by the recipient 42, the dispensingsystem 10 changes the state of the order/items to “dispensed.” Thesystem 10/controller 20 may send a notice to the recipient 42 and/ordispensing entity 40 and/or generate an invoice or process payment fromthe recipient 42 (or other authorized party) to the dispensing entity,if appropriate.

FIG. 9 illustrates one particular operation of the system 10/controllers20/sensor system 18 using object recognition to identify and detectobjects. As noted above the sensor system 18 may be configured toautomatically identify items 16 placed on the surface 14 by sensingcertain parameters of the item 16, such as dimensions, weight,footprint, shape, conductivity, etc. and comparing the measuredparameters to a database that maps the measured parameters to a databaseto thereby identify the item 16. FIG. 9 illustrates a processimplemented by a sensor system 18 in the form of a camera or visualidentification system looking down (or in some cases, up) toward andperpendicular to a dispensing surface 14. In the first step, thedispensing surface 14 is provided, as shown in the upper drawing of FIG.9. In the second and third steps, the items 16A, 16B are positioned onthe dispensing surface 14, as shown in the middle drawing of FIG. 9. Theitem location, and the space occupied by items 16A and 16B are thenidentified, after background subtraction if employed, based on the outerdimensions, shape, reflective qualities, or other properties of items16A, 16B, as shown in steps 4 and 5, and shown in the bottom drawing ofFIG. 9. The object recognition described herein can be carried out byany of a wide variety of methods and systems, including by edgedetection techniques, primal sketch methods, the use of generalizedcylinders, the use of geons, edge matching, divide-and-conquersearching, greyscale matching, gradient matching, histograms ofreceptive field responses, large model bases, interpretation trees,hypothesize-and-test, pose consistency, pose clustering, invariance,geometric hashing, scale-invariant feature transform, speeded up robustfeatures, bag of words representations, genetic algorithms, 3Dreconstruction, trained convolutional neural networks, and other methodsfor visual positioning and tracking.

With reference to FIG. 10, any or all the functions and methods asdescribed herein, or a portion thereof, may be implemented on one ormore computer systems, such as the dispensing component 12/system 10including a computer system 160. The computer system 160 (which can inone case be the same component as the controller 20) includes aprocessor 162, a memory 164, a mass storage memory device 166 thatincludes a database 168, one or more input/output (I/O) interfaces 170and may include a Human Machine Interface (HMI) 172 (either of which cantake the form of or include input device 30 and/or mobile device 24).The computer system 160, and thus the dispensing component 12, mayinclude and/or be operatively coupled to a network 174, sensor system 18and/or other devices 176 (such as other dispensing components 12), viaone or more I/O interfaces 170. The processor 162 can include one ormore devices selected from microprocessors, micro-controllers, digitalsignal processors, microcomputers, central processing units, fieldprogrammable gate arrays, programmable logic devices, state machines,logic circuits, analog circuits, digital circuits, or any other devicesthat manipulate signals (analog or digital) based on operationalinstructions that are stored in the memory 164. Memory 164 includes asingle memory device or a plurality of memory devices including, but notlimited to, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), volatilememory, non-volatile memory, static random access memory (SRAM), dynamicrandom access memory (DRAM), flash memory, cache memory, or any otherdevice capable of storing information. The mass storage memory device166 can include data storage devices such as a hard drive, opticaldrive, tape drive, volatile or non-volatile solid state device, or anyother device capable of storing information.

The processor 162 can operate under the control of an operating system178 that resides in memory 164. The operating system 178 managesprocessing resources so that computer program code embodied as one ormore computer software applications, such as applications 180 residingin memory 164, has instructions executed by the processor 162. In analternative embodiment, the processor 162 executes the applications 180directly, in which case the operating system 178 may be omitted. One ormore data structures 182 may also reside in memory 164, and may be usedby the processor 162, operating system 178, or applications 180 to storeor manipulate data.

The I/O interface 170 provides a machine interface that operativelycouples the processor 162 to other devices and systems, such as thenetwork 174, sensor 18 and other external devices 176. The applications180, which includes data comprising program code for execution byprocessor 162 to perform the methods and functions as described above,thereby works by communicating via the I/O interface 170 to provide thevarious features, functions, applications, processes, or modulescomprising embodiments of the system disclosed herein. The applications180 may have program code that is executed by, for example, other systemor network components external to the computer system 160. Indeed, giventhe nearly endless hardware and software configurations possible,persons having ordinary skill in the art will understand thatembodiments of the invention may include applications that are locatedexternally to the computer system 160, distributed among multiplecomputers or other external resources, or provided by computingresources (hardware and software) that are provided externally tocomputer system 160.

The HMI 172, if included, is operatively coupled to the processor 162 ofcomputer system 160 in a known manner to allow a recipient to interactdirectly with the computer system 160. The HMI 172 may include video oralphanumeric displays, a touch screen, a speaker, and any other suitableaudio and visual indicators capable of providing data to a user. The HMI172 may also include input devices and controls such as an alphanumerickeyboard, a pointing device, keypads, pushbuttons, control knobs,microphones, etc., capable of accepting commands or input from therecipient and transmitting the entered input to the processor 162, andother components as outlined above.

A database 168 resides on the mass storage memory device 166, and may beused to collect and organize data used by the various systems andmodules described herein. The database 168 may include data andsupporting data structures that store and organize the data. Inparticular, the database 168 may be arranged with any databaseorganization or structure including, but not limited to, a relationaldatabase, a hierarchical database, a network database, or combinationsthereof. A database management system in the form of a computer softwareapplication executing as instructions on the processor 162 may be usedto access the information or data stored in records of the database 168in response to a query, where a query may be dynamically determined andexecuted by the operating system 178, other applications 180, or one ormore modules.

The system 10 and method identified herein can identify and track, as asingle order, a collection of various items 16 and thereby create arepresentation of a virtual and dynamic “compartment” on or in thedispensing component 12 within which the order is positioned. Thehardware and software of the system 10 cooperate to identify the virtualcompartment. The virtual compartment can span multiple shelves/surfaces14 and/or dispensing components 12, thereby provides increasedflexibility to allow optimal use of available space. Optionally thevirtual compartments may be identified by using electronic indicators oreven virtual indicators such as light displays, light indicators,augmented reality technology, or projectors projecting images onto thedispensing surface 14 or a wall, other screens, or mobile devicesshowing a virtual representation of the dispensing component12/dispensing surface 14. For example, in one case the display portion22 e may project a perimeter or border on the dispensing surface 14,within which each item 16 associated with an order may be positioned.

The resultant dispensing system 10 is a low-friction, dynamic, andadaptive dispensing system that may initially have the outwardappearance of a standard shelving unit. However the system 10 and methodprovides advantages over existing dispensing systems such as lockersthat physically divide a space into compartments, where each individualcompartment holds items from only a single order. The compartment sizeof such lockers also limits the maximum size of objects that can storedin the locker. The density of items/order in traditional lockers is alsogoverned by the compartment size and density. Orders with small overallvolume compared to the compartment in which the order is stored createswasted space. In contrast, the present system 10 and method provides forflexible and dynamic definition of virtual “compartments” such thatusage of space and ease of access are optimized.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A dispensing system comprising: a sensorconfigured to identify a position of an item on a surface of acomponent; a controller operatively coupled to the sensor; and a displaydevice operatively coupled to the controller, wherein the display deviceis configured to dynamically display information relating to said item,and wherein the display device is configured to display the informationat a location physically associated with the item.
 2. The system ofclaim 1 wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the sensor andconfigured to identify the item based upon an output from the sensor. 3.The system of claim 1 further comprising the component, wherein thecomponent includes the surface in the form of a generally flatdispensing surface, wherein the sensor is positioned above thedispensing surface, and wherein the display device is configured todisplay the information along or adjacent to at least one of a front orrear edge of the dispensing surface.
 4. The system of claim 3 whereinthe dispensing surface is a shelf, wherein the component furtherincludes a supplemental shelf oriented generally parallel to said shelfand a supplemental sensor configured to track the position of an item onsaid supplemental shelf, and wherein said supplemental sensor isoperatively coupled to said controller.
 5. The system of claim 3 whereinthe display device extends generally laterally, wherein the item has alateral location on the dispensing surface, and wherein the displayedinformation at least partially laterally overlaps with the location ofthe item.
 6. The system of claim 3 wherein the display device isconfigured to project the displayed information on the dispensingsurface of the component.
 7. The system of claim 1 wherein the surfaceis configured to be maintained at a temperature either above or belowambient temperature.
 8. The system of claim 1 wherein the systemincludes a thermoelectric heat pump configured to cool the surface, andwherein the system is configured such that heat generated by thethermoelectric heat pump is transferrable to a supplemental surface ofthe component.
 9. The system of claim 1 wherein the displayedinformation includes an identity of a recipient of the item.
 10. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein said sensor includes at least one opticalsensor.
 11. The system of claim 1 wherein the sensor includes an opticalrecognition device and wherein the controller is configured to track theposition of the item on the surface by object recognition and backgroundsubtraction.
 12. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller isconfigured to track the location of a plurality of items that are partof a single order, and wherein the displayed information conveys thatthe plurality of items are part of the single order.
 13. The system ofclaim 12 wherein the displayed information relating to the plurality ofitems is displayed on two different shelves of the component.
 14. Thesystem of claim 12 wherein the controller is configured to track theplurality of items when the plurality of items are not locatedimmediately adjacent to each other.
 15. The system of claim 1 whereinthe sensor is configured to identify spillage positioned on thecomponent, and to track the identified spillage to ensure the spillageis not identified as an item.
 16. The system of claim 1 wherein thesystem is configured to transmit information to a mobile device of arecipient, wherein the transmitted information relates to the positionof the item on the component.
 17. The system of claim 1 wherein thesystem is configured to transmit a pickup code to a recipient, whereinthe pickup code is subsequently transmittable by the recipient to thesystem as proof of authorization of the recipient.
 18. A dispensingsystem comprising: a sensor configured to sense an item on a surface ofa component; a controller operatively coupled to the sensor andconfigured to identify the item based upon an output from the sensor;and a display device operatively coupled to the controller, wherein thedisplay device is configured to dynamically display information relatingto said item, wherein the display device is configured to display theinformation at a location physically associated with the item.
 19. Thesystem of claim 18 wherein the controller is configured to associate theidentified item with a recipient.
 20. The system of claim 18 wherein thecontroller is configured to associate the identified item with at leastone other item of a same order.
 21. The system of claim 18 wherein thecontroller is configured to identify the item by comparing the output ofthe sensor to a database that correlates certain physical qualities withcertain items.
 22. The system of claim 18 wherein the controller isconfigured to track the position of the item on the surface.
 23. Amethod for dispensing items comprising: identifying, via a sensor, aposition of an item on a component; and dynamically displaying, via adisplay device that is operatively coupled to said sensor, informationrelating to said item, wherein the information is displayed at alocation physically associated with the item.
 24. The method of claim 23further comprising the step of removing the displayed information afterthe sensor determines that the item has been removed from the component.25. The method of claim 23 further including the step of receiving acode from a recipient, and in response, causing the display device tocall attention to the item.
 26. The method of claim 23 wherein the codeis transmitted by a mobile device of the recipient.
 27. The method ofclaim 23 wherein the displayed information relates to the identity of arecipient that is intended to pick up the item.
 28. The method of claim23 further comprising, prior to the identifying step, a dispensingentity positioning the item on the component, and after the displayingstep, a recipient removing the item from the component.